“We’re inviting families to step outside their everyday lives and join us on a spectacular creative adventure through the forest. Delamere Forest is a magical location, and we’re so very pleased to have the chance to weave our magic there.” Rowan Hoban, Wild Rumpus Director

For one weekend in May, a partnership between Wild Rumpus (the team behind the award-winning Just So Festival) and the Forestry Commission is bringing a fairy-tale world to life. Families can explore three paths of the naturally beautiful woodland, where visual art, theatre, music, dance and storytelling will combine to tell the story of  traditional English fairy-tales. 

Families will come into the forest on a timed ticket. Tickets will allow entry within a 15 minute time slot. This is to make sure that the forest doesn’t get too busy. Once inside, families can stay for as long as they like. There are three separate paths to walk inside the forest, each telling the story of an English fairy tale through theatrical performance, music, storytelling, creative writing and dance. 

Tattercoats. Follow Tattercoats on her journey from rags to riches. Along your way you will meet the colourful characters who make up her tale, from her cruel wizened grandfather to her great gooseherd friend, whose piped music will help to show you the way. Bring your imagination to create characters for our new English fairy tale, and help to make Tattercoats a beautiful ballgown that sparkles and shines. If you reach the end of the path you too shall go to the ball.

The Three Heads of the Well. Can you complete the quest of the three heads of the well? Keep your wits about you as you meet characters and challenges along the path from this exciting tale of evil step-sisters, riddles and rhymes, and reaping what you sow.

The Earl Mar’s Daughter. Step along this visual pathway of bird cages, swans, love and loss. Follow the tale of the Earl Mar’s daughter and her great love, coo-my-dove and behold spectacular and enchanting sights.

The Magpie’s Nest. Can you build the perfect nest? Which bird are you most like? The impatient blackbird? The distractable cuckoo? Come and help us to build a giant birds nest, to stay on in the forest long after we have gone home. Hear the story of the magpie’s nest as you weave and twist.

Dance at The Grand Ball

The Ball. Deep in the woods you will discover the grand ball. Chandeliers will hang from tree, music sound from amongst the leaves, and dancers swirl and twirl. Families will learn to dance together. See if you can spot Tattercoats as she spins in her glistening gown.

A new English fairy tale. Along the way the audience will help to create their own new fairy-tale, with help from the Manchester Children’s Literature Festival team.

Find out more before you go!

Visit the spellbound forest website where the four fairytales are available to read or listen to online at www.spellboundforest.org.uk/the-stories This is great way to build the excitement before your fairy-tale adventure. 

The Spellbound Forest. 19 & 20 May 2012. Delamere Forest, Cheshire.

Tickets £12.50 Adults, £7.50 Children, £35 Family (2+2)   www.spellboundforest.org.uk